Ask HN: Apple force-updated me to Tahoe. Worth fighting? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Apple force-updated me to Tahoe. Worth fighting?

3 pointsstrogonoff6 comments

Had to repair my laptop. Left them a Sequoia machine and picked up a Tahoe. Well, for now I refused to pick it up, but not sure if there will be any choice.

It is not even that I think macOS 26 is unusable (though it certainly looks terrible, and judging by the amount of bugs that still persist in iOS 26 it is likely glitchy as well), and I would eventually migrate, but this is not the time. Being forced to adopt a new tool on somebody else’s terms, while under deadlines, is not great. It is a time- and energy-intensive process. I knew what parts would be replaced, nothing in work authorization or my prolonged discussion with the tech guy before I dropped off my machine indicated that I would get a different OS back (and pay for it, too).

Anyone had a similar experience? What would you do?

I am reading that if hardware came with Tahoe, downgrading may send me into a world of pain due to firmware mismatch. However, Apple Store staff said they updated the OS after the unit was put together (for testing purposes), which presumably means hardware came with Sequoia-compatible firmware.

Unless "fighting" entails switching OSes, then you're just delaying the inevitable.

I stated that I would likely migrate eventually, but on my own schedule, perhaps mid year or autumn.

Switching the ecosystem over this is on the cards (I am being essentially handed a different machine than what I dropped off, after all), but wondering if anyone had success forcing Apple to hand you a repaired machine with the same OS, or successfully manually downgraded an MBP that came with Sequoia but got Tahoe post-repair.

Might as well pick it up. I was essentially "forced" to update to get my new XDR display running and I've learned to live with Tahoe.

Tahoe is buggier than Sequoia, but Sequoia was rather buggy already. You'll see a lot of new annoyances in Tahoe, but then it will just feel like typically modern Apple software, just with more and more iPhone UI everywhere.

The one outstanding benefit is that it will now autocomplete codes sent via text messages, just like iOS.

> The one outstanding benefit is that it will now autocomplete codes sent via text messages, just like iOS.

This is not a new Tahoe feature. macOS has done this as long as the iPhone has.

As for OP, the time and mental energy spent fighting it would probably be better spent getting familiar with the OS. It’s not that different, other than the coat of paint. It may not be on your schedule, but neither would the fight. Not picking the computer up is also more impactful to your productivity than an OS upgrade.

While not with Apple, I just spent the last 6 months trying to fight charges from FedEx I felt were in error. I wish now that I would have just paid the money, taken my lumps, and moved on with my life. The stress it caused wasn’t worth it and it’s still not resolved.

Point taken, having a new OS forced on you in the middle of work is stress but trying to fight a big corporation over this may be even more stress.

Honestly, though, after seeing the next Tahoe-only generation of Apple Silicon come out a couple of months after I bought my laptop, I was so happy thinking I get to keep Sequoia for another year.

> The one outstanding benefit is that it will now autocomplete codes sent via text messages, just like iOS.

Like the sibling comment, I believe I had this happen in Sequoia, too.

That said, input appreciated.

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